Shaheen Afridi – The Spearhead of Pakistan’s Fast Bowling Legacy
Shaheen Shah Afridi has redefined what it means to be a modern-day fast bowler. Towering at over six feet with a fluid left-arm action, blistering pace, and masterful swing, Shaheen is Pakistan’s go-to strike weapon across formats. From dismantling top orders with the new ball to delivering clutch spells in death overs, he embodies the aggression and skill of Pakistan’s legendary pace lineage.
This profile on TheLiveCricketScore captures everything about Shaheen — his rise from the tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to global stardom, his devastating spells in ICC events and T20 leagues, and his growing stature as a leader and ambassador of Pakistan cricket.
Early Life and Meteoric Rise
Born on April 6, 2000, in Khyber Agency, Pakistan, Shaheen was introduced to cricket by his older brother, Riaz Afridi, a former Test cricketer. Blessed with natural athleticism, height, and rhythm, Shaheen quickly caught the eye of selectors with his sharp bounce and ability to hit 145+ km/h as a teenager.
He broke out during the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup, where his pace and accuracy stood out. His rapid rise earned him a T20I debut later that year, followed by ODI and Test appearances — making him one of the youngest all-format players for Pakistan.
Shaheen Afridi – Career Stats (As of 2025)
| Format |
Matches |
Wickets |
Best Bowling |
Average |
Economy Rate |
| Tests |
30+ |
120+ |
6/51 |
~25.00 |
~3.00 |
| ODIs |
60+ |
120+ |
6/35 |
~23.00 |
~5.20 |
| T20Is |
55+ |
70+ |
4/22 |
~20.00 |
~7.20 |
| PSL |
60+ |
90+ |
5/4 |
~19.00 |
~7.00 |
Shaheen is among the few modern bowlers to maintain elite strike rates and averages across all formats — a testament to his adaptability and discipline.
Key Achievements
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ICC Cricketer of the Year – 2021
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Player of the Match vs India, T20 World Cup 2021
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Youngest Pakistani to claim a 5-wicket haul in a World Cup match
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Captain of Lahore Qalandars – led team to back-to-back PSL titles
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Consistently ranked in the ICC Top 10 Bowlers in Tests and ODIs
Bowling Mastery – What Makes Shaheen Special
Shaheen’s bowling is a mix of classical fast-bowling technique and modern-day aggression. His natural angle into right-handers, combined with sharp seam movement and swing, makes him a nightmare in the powerplay. In death overs, his yorkers are near-unplayable.
Specialties:
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Late inswinging yorkers at 140+ km/h
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Short balls that extract uncomfortable bounce
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Ability to swing both new and old ball
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Tactical variations in T20s (slower balls, wide yorkers)
He’s also renowned for his intensity and ability to lift team spirit during high-pressure moments.
Franchise Cricket Success
Shaheen has been a standout performer in T20 leagues worldwide, blending match-winning spells with calm, tactical leadership.
Notable Franchise Contributions:
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Pakistan Super League (PSL): Captain of Lahore Qalandars, led them to consecutive championships (2022, 2023)
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The Hundred: Played for Birmingham Phoenix, earning praise for powerplay breakthroughs
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Also featured in top leagues in Bangladesh, England, and the UAE
His growing reputation as a complete bowler makes him a top priority for global franchises.
Setbacks and Comebacks
Shaheen faced a major challenge in 2022 when a knee injury during the T20 World Cup sidelined him. Many feared his pace might dip. But through disciplined rehab and relentless focus, he made a roaring comeback — stronger, sharper, and mentally tougher.
His ability to bounce back from injuries while maintaining world-class performance levels underscores his professionalism and hunger for excellence.
Off the Field
Shaheen Afridi is more than just a cricketer. He’s a role model for young athletes from underrepresented regions. Calm under pressure, humble in victory, and gracious in defeat, he has quickly grown into a fan favorite and a leader for the next generation of Pakistan cricket.
He’s also part of various social initiatives and has become an influential figure in sports mentorship and youth development in Pakistan.
Follow Shaheen Afridi on TheLiveCricketScore
TheLiveCricketScore offers a dedicated hub for fans of Shaheen Afridi. Access:
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Live match updates and wickets
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Bowling performance breakdowns across formats
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Real-time PSL performances
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Video highlights and milestone tracking
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News, interviews, and exclusive features
From Test match magic to T20 fireworks, every chapter of Shaheen’s journey is tracked in detail here.
